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T O P I C R E V I E W

ASCAN1984

Why are there so many different types cargo freighters for the International Space Station instead of just two or three?

lspooz

I'd say it's part of the eventual trend for private corporations to follow the paths set by NASA. It's probably a good idea to have multiple options for sending cargo/crew up-n-down; the more the merrier.

Ronpur

Maybe trying not to put all your eggs in one basket. If one flight system has a failure, another can continue.

Robert Pearlman

Presently, there are five different cargo carriers:

Russia's Progress

Europe's Automated Transfer Vehicle

Japan's H-II Transfer Vehicle

SpaceX's Dragon

Orbital's Cygnus

Europe's ATV only has one more flight and then is being retired.

Russia's Progress services primarily the Russian segment of the space station, as well refuels the station's engines and delivers water and air. Japan's HTV services JAXA's Kibo laboratory, including its external platform, as well delivers air and water for the USOS.

SpaceX's Dragon is the only carrier that can bring large cargo back to Earth, and brings supplies to the USOS. Orbital's Cygnus also services the USOS, and can deorbit station refuse.

SkyMan1958

What is Europe going to use to resupply after the last ATV? Is there a new platform they are planning on or are they buying space on someone else's resupply vessels?

Robert Pearlman

They will be flying supplies on the other existing spacecraft. ESA decided to devote its resources and ATV team toward developing and building the service module for Orion.